642 Pro Series vs. 642 (no lock) vs. 442

[Mister X]

Try to find one of these. Hands down my favorite J Frame. It is a Black finished 642 (yep not 442). 642 Pro Series Power-Port. As you can see there is a dovetail cut into the barrel for the front sight. I put a Trijicon night sight in there. The barrel appears a little longer because it has a port cut into the top in front of the sight. It has a full length ejector rod (which is a very nice feature for positive extraction, the short rods do NOT do a good job). Full lug. It has a beautiful black finish and zero white filled markings (no trade mark or airweight insignias). It is the same weight as any airweight (15 ozs). And looks awesome.

Smith did a very small run of these a couple of years ago. I picked this up new in the box on GB for $420 2 years ago. They pop up every once in a while.

Recoil is noticeably tamer thanks to the port.

It conceals just as easy as any of my J Frames.

If you can't find one, get a 442. I just don't like silver guns.

Porting is perfectly fine for the range, but since the OP's intended purpose is defense, I and just about every other instructor recommends avoiding porting on a defense piece. ported snub - Glock Talk

 

[Mister X]

The 442 Pro isn't blued, it's all stainless with a matte black finish on frame, barrel and cylinder. I've been told that regular 442s are also coming out this way (stainless instead of carbon) too lately but I haven't bought one so I can't confirm that.

The S&W website lists the 442 pro as having a SS cylinder, but doesn't mention the barrel. Where did you hear that the 442's will also be coming out this way?

 

[HarrishMasher]

Porting is perfectly fine for the range, but since the OP's intended purpose is defense, I and just about every other instructor recommends avoiding porting on a defense piece. ported snub - Glock Talk

With modern ammo designed for short barrels with low flash propellants it is really not much of a concern. Have you tested the Speer or Buffalo Bore low-flash loadings? Very little flash.

With regular ammo, there is so much flash coming from the barrel, the little bit coming out of the little port up top makes very little difference.

Further this gun is intended to be used real close up, not sure how much of an issue the flash would present in a real life situation.

 

[Mister X]

With modern ammo designed for short barrels with low flash propellants it is really not much of a concern. Have you tested the Speer or Buffalo Bore low-flash loadings? Very little flash.

With regular ammo, there is so much flash coming from the barrel, the little bit coming out of the little port up top makes very little difference.

Further this gun is intended to be used real close up, not sure how much of an issue the flash would present in a real life situation.

Yes, these are close quarter defense guns and that is their real strength there lies the problem with porting since the probability of having to fire the gun from a position of retention is higher. Mas pointed that out in the link I provided.

 

[Stephanie B]

For a bedside gun, I'd think that it would be hard to beat one of the Aussie police Model 10 trade-ins. Then add on a pair of Crimson-Trace laser grips and you've got a really fine tool for the job.

 

[b_san]

The S&W website lists the 442 pro as having a SS cylinder, but doesn't mention the barrel. Where did you hear that the 442's will also be coming out this way?

I can guarantee that mine is SS on all 3 parts and a search of this site points to a thread with a call to S&W that also confirmed that the Pro is all SS.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...does-have-any-carbon-steel.html#post136782537
and
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...does-have-any-carbon-steel.html#post136789037


As to the reg 442, I can only say what my LGS mentioned when I ordered in the Pro. He asked why the Pro instead of a regular 442 so I told him the moon clips plus that it was all SS instead of carbon and he said that the last couple reg 442s he'd got in were SS cylinders. Now again I have no idea if that's accurate nor have I seen one there since so I have nothing else to go by but another call to S&W might confirm or deny it.

 

[SpartanZeroOne]

Thanks for all of the information, folks!! I have learned A LOT from reading your responses so far! Thank you also for taking the time to share your knowledge with me, as I am a relative noob to using/owning hand guns (only had our handguns for about a year).

I am kind of leaning toward the 442 now after listening to all of your comments. I agree that moon clips are not a HUGE deal, but I personally feel that they would be easier to use than a speed loader in a stressful situation (we currently own a few HKS 36-A's)... of course I say that having never used moon clips, so I can't be sure. I am pretty sure that reloading with moon clips would be A LOT faster than dropping 5 more rounds into the cylinder one by one... especially under stress. (Of course, I have also never used a speed strip... so not sure how those would compare.) Moon clips are one way, at least in my line of thinking, to mitigate the "debate" about .38 special being an effective defensive round.... ideally I would like a .357 revolver but S&W's in .357 cost $200-$300 more... so if I had a 442 or 642 Pro with 2 or 3 moon clips loaded with a nice 158 grain HP or some smaller grain +P hollow point, I would think that should suffice in almost any defensive situation at home... even the highly unlikely (in my area) home invasion... because, with practice, my wife and I would be able to reload VERY quickly.

I have to admit, as much as I love S&W's pistols, I really like the Ruger SP101... it seems like a good value for a .357. It is noticeably cheaper than S&W's .357's... even the nice Model 60. I held a SP101 at my LGS a few months ago but it was about $535 if memory serves. However, I just saw one of the 2.25 inch barrel SP101's (with exposed hammer) for $449 at KyGunCo.com last week and I was really debating pulling the trigger on it (no pun intended). At that price, that's about $50-$75 more than you can get a new J-frame for online. Anyone own or have experience with the SP101?

One thing I cannot get past (and I'll be the first to admit that it's just my own mental block) is the internal lock on the J-frames. (I believe I read somewhere that Ruger's GP100 and SP101 series do not come with internal locks) I know it's a million to one shot that it would activate accidentally at the moment you need it most... but I've also been alive long enough to know what a S0B Murphy can be and I guess I figure if you can get a J-frame without it from the factory (which I did not know at the time my wife and mom bought their 442 & 642!) then why not get it without the lock? It's easy enough to throw a trigger lock on it if you still want the extra measure of security beyond putting it in a safe. Maybe I'm way off base here, but that's my way of thinking.

 

[Shooter6br]

New 638 CCW

My 638 is my new CCW. I like the ability to fire SA with bobbed hammer

 

[Mister X]

Good luck in whatever you chose to ultimately get, but I think the Moonclips are a bad idea since you are intending this to be a defense gun.

I came real close to getting a 442 pro myself back in 2011, but asked Massad Ayoob and a few other defense instructors that recommended I avoid them on defense guns since. Here's a quote from well known defensive revolver expert Grant Cunningham on the subject of Moonclips on defense guns....

"SPEAKING OF MOON CLIPS: I get several queries per month regarding moonclips for a carry revolver, and I recommend to all that they be limited to range use. Yes, they are faster to reload (the margin depending on the cartridge) - but I don't believe that outweighs the fragility of the clips themselves, as even a small bend will tie up the gun."- Grant Cunningham

It has also been stated that it is possible to use the pro models without the Moonclips, but I would want to be sure that it is not a lot more difficult to eject spent shells before buying as that has usually been the case in the past when using Moonclip cut models without the clips.

 

[SpartanZeroOne]

Try to find one of these. Hands down my favorite J Frame. It is a Black finished 642 (yep not 442). 642 Pro Series Power-Port. As you can see there is a dovetail cut into the barrel for the front sight. I put a Trijicon night sight in there. The barrel appears a little longer because it has a port cut into the top in front of the sight. It has a full length ejector rod (which is a very nice feature for positive extraction, the short rods do NOT do a good job). Full lug. It has a beautiful black finish and zero white filled markings (no trade mark or airweight insignias). It is the same weight as any airweight (15 ozs). And looks awesome.

Smith did a very small run of these a couple of years ago. I picked this up new in the box on GB for $420 2 years ago. They pop up every once in a while.

Recoil is noticeably tamer thanks to the port.

It conceals just as easy as any of my J Frames.

If you can't find one, get a 442. I just don't like silver guns.

That's a sharp looking J-frame!! The wood grip with the black looks real nice!

I have never heard that about moon clips before... it makes sense though! Seems like some of you think a 642/442 (no lock) with speed loaders would be better for defense than a 442/642 Pro Series with moon clips. I'm glad you mentioned that... I have never thought about that angle before! I guess a slightly bent moon clip would eliminate the reliability of a revolver. I have also thought about a M&P 40c (friend has one and I can shoot the lights out with it) or a M&P 45 FS. I keep thinking that I'd like the reliability of a revolver over a semi-auto for "go to" home defense.

 

[TruckGun]

FWIW, my wife carries her pro 642 with the chambered rounds in a moon clip for one reason: positive ejection of spent rounds. The group momentum makes the whole works come flying right out all together without worrying about a stuck casing or two. In the unlikely event of ever USING your gun, and even more unlikely event of needing a reload; loose, speed loader, or speed strips may be used at your preference.

 

[Kilibreaux]

The M642-1 PRO "no lock" is a fine choice and cannot be bested!
I saw where one poster stated he (she) would never carry a revolver with moon clips and I must emphatically disagree with that sentiment!
I LOVE the 642 PRO "Moon clip" option and keep three clips stoked with Winchester hi-performance ammo. Feeding all 5 rounds into the revolver in an "en bloc" clip contributes to reliable loading. Being able to eject the entire "en bloc" clip is FAR, FAR better than single shells in chambers!
Here's the thing...IF you purchase a "PRO" series J-frame that comes with cylinders cut for Moon clips, you stand to lose nothing...you can still load individual shells all day long. IF on the other hand, you fall for the naysayer BS, and by a J-frame NOT CUT for Moon clips, you are STUCK with a less efficient loading-ejection format that could get you killed! Until you opt to have an aftermarket company cut it for Moon clips for you!

 

[Goblin]

I surfed the website and every 442 and 642 they offer states a weight of 15 oz. Seems they're all built from the same materials, just different finishes. Man, there a lot of variations, I think about 10 or more with the Talo and other exclusives.

 

[SpartanZeroOne]

A good friend of mine threw me a curveball today in my quest for a good bedside "go to" gun... he has a 5 month old Glock 30S with slightly less than 100 rounds through it. He paid $565 for it new but said he would sell it to me for $400. Seems like a good deal. Anyone have any experience with the Glock 30S? It seems like it would be good for bedside duty and carry and it's .45 acp. This would be my first Glock.

 

[Florida J Frame]

The Glock sounds like a good deal but are you and your wife ready to go from a revolver to a bottom feeder?

 

[b_san]

A good friend of mine threw me a curveball today in my quest for a good bedside "go to" gun... he has a 5 month old Glock 30S with slightly less than 100 rounds through it. He paid $565 for it new but said he would sell it to me for $400. Seems like a good deal. Anyone have any experience with the Glock 30S? It seems like it would be good for bedside duty and carry and it's .45 acp. This would be my first Glock.

I've got a 30SF same frame as a 30S but with a regular 30 slide (the 30s has the 36 narrow slide). Great gun for carry, I'd rather a G21SF (or M&P45) on my nightstand but if you're only going to have 1 then it will work just fine. Make sure it fits your hands, some people find that even the SF/S frame Glock 45s are too big or not angled right. The SF fits me well though, see if you can shoot it first or at least handle it.

$400 isn't bad at all in good condition.

 

[SpartanZeroOne]

My wife and I are already somewhat familiar with semi autos as I own a M&P 9 FS and Shield 9. I was just looking for something with a little more knockdown power for bedside duty. I know most J-frames are "only" .38 special... but I really like my wife's 642 and my mom's 442. They feel GREAT in hand! However, I'm a sucker for a good deal and this G30S in .45 ACP seems like a very good deal. I agree that ideally a G21 or G21 SF would be ideal for bedside, but this is what he has and having already held and fired it before, I'd say it's OK. Not sure if I'd buy it new for $565 like he did, but for $400? Seems like a good deal. My friend is getting rid of the G30S because he has smaller hands and after shooting it he doesn't like it as much as his M&P 40c. I really wish he'd sell me the 40c instead, but he won't part with that one.

 

[b_san]

If you're comfortable with it in your hand then I'd say get it, looking at GB the average used price for a 30S seems to be $460-490 plus shipping and your local transfer fee so you're getting a good deal on it.

I'd advise the pearce grip baseplates on the G30 mags to really give you a good handle on it while firing and you can also use the G21 mags with an Xgrip for more capacity on the nightstand.

 

[Mister X]

The M642-1 PRO "no lock" is a fine choice and cannot be bested!
I saw where one poster stated he (she) would never carry a revolver with moon clips and I must emphatically disagree with that sentiment!
I LOVE the 642 PRO "Moon clip" option and keep three clips stoked with Winchester hi-performance ammo. Feeding all 5 rounds into the revolver in an "en bloc" clip contributes to reliable loading. Being able to eject the entire "en bloc" clip is FAR, FAR better than single shells in chambers!
Here's the thing...IF you purchase a "PRO" series J-frame that comes with cylinders cut for Moon clips, you stand to lose nothing...you can still load individual shells all day long. IF on the other hand, you fall for the naysayer BS, and by a J-frame NOT CUT for Moon clips, you are STUCK with a less efficient loading-ejection format that could get you killed! Until you opt to have an aftermarket company cut it for Moon clips for you!

I believe the post you're referring was mine. My advice to avoid using Moonclips in a gun intended for defensive use primarily comes from the teachings of Massad Ayoob, Grant Cunningham and Michael de Bethencourt to name a few. So, your saying these well respected trainers well known for their knowledge on the defensive use of snub revolvers are spewing "naysayer BS".

And actually if you load the pro-series revolver without using Moonclips, there is a higher risk of case-under-extractor jams.

Reloads are extremely uncommon in civilian gunfights. If your putting yourself in situations where it would be a high probability, then perhaps a 5-shot revolver is not the best choice and I for sure wouldn't want to bet my life on a fragile moonclip that I had been carrying for my reload.

 

[RevolverDen]

Pics of my Airweights:

Top to bottom: '96 442-1, '14 442 Pro series, '14 642 Pro Series

Incidentally, the '96 is not +P rated as outlined in the ammo use chart in the owners manual.